Interrupted thread type slidable jaw wrench



May 20, 1952 J. T. TEDESCO 2,597,403

ITERRUPTED THREAD TYPE SLIDABLE JAW WRENCH 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 2O1948 lINVENTOR. A JoHN T. TEDESCO May 20, 1952 J. T. TEDESCO 2,597,403

INTERRUPTED THREAD TYPE SLIDABLE JAW WRENCH Filed May 20, 1948 5Sheets-Sheet 2 NVENTOR. JQHN T. TEDESCO May 20, 1952 J. T. TEDESCO2,597,403

INTERRUPTED THREAD TYPE SLIDABLE `)'AW WRENCH Filed May 20, 1948 5Sheets-Sheet 3 NVENTR. JOHN T. TEDE Sco Patented May 20, 11952 This.invention relates .to aiinterrupted thread.. type, slidabl jaw wrench-.

More particularly, it' 'relates t'o, aA Wrenchof.' the type referreatowhich can bev aippiidl to. various size nuts-withamniumof effort andAxme.

A n object of the present Iiin/'verition ,isf't'o 1p1 videan adjustable.Wrenchlfor.v application Ito v' us size nuts or bolts,.whi eh.vvrencliVcan bewadjsted by a slidingemotion ofion'e jaw andtighftened b`y` ashort 'rotary motion. f lanother. .part of" 'the wrench, therebydoingyewaypwien the necessity of a long rotary operation to 'adjs't onejawv o'f` the wrench relativet the other jaw.

Alfurth'er object iS tol pvde a'wleh'clf's'ifoiesaid Lof the. typeadapted* 'so ree'eivethe boit" or nut through one open end oftliejws Afurther object is' tojy provide a wrench of" the' aforesaid type'ywherein the'boltoninit isreeeive' in an adjustable socket For-'furthercomprehension of me and ofthe-objectwee advantaeestnereof; rer-- erencewill be had tothefollovving'f description'- and accompanying drawings,andtotl'efappeiided th'sf al; stills:

view ofi: e2-

Fie; 1011s.l a. sectional;A view waken.: eiserne nner to 2` memberusedin the'form oil-the inventionshown inflige 9.

FigVlS is a partiallongitudinal sectionalview of-.alwrench-constructedinaccordance with still another modification of the invention.

Fig. ist an enlarged; longitudinal sectional viewaof the handleV- endofthe Wrench shown-in Figi 13 Figi; 15-is'fan enlarged detailed-view ofa portieni' of Fie. 14e

Fig- 16--isfaA sectional View on thefline IS-IG- ofLFig: 14;

Fig.:` 17is"'a side elevational view of a Wrench constructed inaccordancewith a furthermodication of the invention.

Fig. I8 is an enlarged-sectional view on the line I'Ei-I'BloflFig. 1.7.

Fig'valfiiisL sideelevati'onal View of a still iur-'- ther' modificationof `the wrench. 20'

Fig-.12O`isan'enlarged sectional View taken on the'fline '2 02--2 0 'ofFig. 19:

Fig: 2l is` a sectional view' taken on the line 212-24 ofFig. 20.'A

Fig.' 22`is-v a side elevational vieWof a Wrench constructed 1in?accordance'fwith a further modifi;v

cat i'orio thefinventio'n';

Fig. 23 is an enlarged longitudinalsectional Viewr ofvv a-'poition AofYthe Wrench' shown fin Fig'. 22.

Fig. 24 is an enlarged detailed 'viewf'of `a por# tion of'Fig; 23; Y

.Fig-'w25vis-Jal sectional-view taken ontlieV line 2'54-25 lof Fig;A23.-

Fig; 26? is yari elevational View of` a Vstill furtherk modification l`of the' wrench.

Fi: 2"?A is a' partial longitudinal -sectional view' offthefwrench"shown in Fig. 26.-

.28 is'an enlarged sectional'view taken onthe line'28'-=28fof Fig. 27.

Fig; 29E isa'viewsimilar-to Fig. 26butr illustratingfaifurthermodification'of the invention.

The wrench" disclosed inFigs. 1 to etcomprisesY ahandlerlconsisting'l ofa tubular handle portioii llfand afi'otativei'handle portion 122 Axedjaw member lfisrmounted'onvoneend of the tubular handlefportion Il.AThe fixed-jaw member/l 3-is svveatedonto theV tubular handleportion Iloritfmay -bewelded,f.brazed or in any other manner securelyfattaehed inpositic n.

rIfhe 1 rotative handle portion I2- is. disposed Within the tubularlhandle portionY H,- and Ais formed at the end of thetubularhandledportion ll'ad'jacent the-iixedljaw'member I3; Withanenlarged head@ I4` which prevents theV rotative handle?. portionv l 2ffromf beingeW-ithdrawnfrom Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the otherjaw 55 the tubular handle portion Il. The opposite end of the rotativehandle portion I2 is formed with a knurled extension I5 by which therotative handle portion II may be conveniently rotated. As shown theknurled extension projects beyond the end of the tubular handle portionII in abutting end relationship, and in assembling the handle portionsII and I2, the handle portion I2 is inserted into the tubular handleportion II from the end opposite they xed jaw member I3 and the head I4is Iformed on the inserted end of the rotative handle portion I2.

An intermediate area of the rotative handle portion I2 is knurled, asindicated at I6, and the knurled area is in alignment with diametricallyopposite openings I'I formed in the sides of the tubular handle portionII. In using the wrench,

4 portion II, and is formed with diametrically opposite inwardlyextended lugs 20 extended into the interior of the tubular handleportion II through diametrically opposite slots I9' formed in the handleportion Il. The inner ends of the lugs 20 are formed with the threadsI8Bm engageable and disengageable with the threaded end I2a of therotative handle portion I2. The lugs 20 are securely welded in positionwithin complementary recesses 2| formed in diametrically opposite sidesof the movable jaw I8.

In other respects this form of the invention is similar to thatpreviously described, and like fingers can be inserted through theopenings I1,

to contact the knurling I6 to facilitate rotation of the rotative handleportion I2 from that area of the tubular handle portion I I.

A movable jaw member I8 has one end inserted into the tubular handleportion I I through a longitudinal slot I9 formed in one side of thetubular handle portion. The inserted end of the movable jaw member I8 isformed with an opening engaged about a reduced threaded end I2L formedon the rotative handle portion" I2. The reduced threaded end is formedwith flat sides I2b (see Figs. 3 and 4). At diametrically opposite sidesthe movable jaw member I8 is formed with inwardly directed threadedareas I8, which are selectively engaged with the threads of the threadedend I2EL of the rotative handle portion I2 or disengageable from thosethreads as shown in Fig. 3.

The fiat sides I2b on the rotative handle portion I2 interrupt thecontinuous nature of the thread on the threaded end I2fl of the handleportion I2, and when the threads are disengaged as shown in Fig. 3, themovable jaw member I8 is free to be easily moved longitudinally of thehandle I relative to the fixed jaw member I3. A 90 degree turn of therotative handle portion I2 from the position shown in Fig. 3 will engagethe threads on the movable jaw and the threaded end I2El of the handlelocking the movable jaw I8 in a desired fixed position.

The method of using the wrench shown in Figs. l to 4 is as follows:

With the threads I88L on the movable jaw member I8 disengaged from thethreads on the threaded end I2a of the rotative handle I2, the fixed jawmember I3 is engaged against one side of the object it is desired totighten or unloosen', and the movable jaw I8 is slid along the length ofthe slot I9 to a position engaging the opposite side of the object. Therotative handle portion I2 is given a quarter turn to engage the threadsI8a of the movable jaw with the threads on the threaded end I2a of' thehandle portion I2 to lock the movable jaw member I8 in position. Thewrench is then used in the customary fashion to tighten or loosen theobject upon which it has been engaged.

To remove the Wrench from the object, the above procedure is reversed.It will be understood that the present invention provides a wrench whichcan be quickly adjusted to receive objects; such as, nuts, bolts, pipes,and the like, with a minimum of time and a minimum of turning action.

In Figs. and 6, a modification of the wrench is disclosed, in which themovable jaw I8 is engaged about the outside of the tubular handle-handle portion 32.

vreferencenumerals identify like parts in all the views.

4In Figs. '7 and 8 another modification of the invention is shown inwhich a handle 30 consistsfof a fixed handle portion 3| and a rotativeThe rotative handle portion 32 is tubular and the fixed handle portion3| is extended through the tubular Vhandle portion 32. One end of thefixed handle portion 3l extends from the adjacent end of the movable'handle portion 32 as a 'knurled grip 33, and the other end of the fixedhandle portion 3| extends from its adjacent end of the movable handleportion 32 and has mounted thereon a xed jaw member 34.

A pin 35 extends through the movable handle portion 32 and extends intoa groove 3B formed in the xed handle portion 3| for rotatively retainingthe movable handle portion in a fixed rotative position adjacent theknurled grip 33 of the iixed handle portion 3I.

A ,movable jaw member 31 is slidably disposed on the fixed handleportion 3| and is formed with a socket opening 38 into which theadjacent end of the movable handle portion 32 extends. Diametricallyopposite sides of the inserted end of the movable handle portion 32 areformed with spaced threads 32B between flat sides 32D. The threads 32nare selectively engageable with and disengageable from complementarythreads 31e formed on the movable jaw member 31 within the socketopening 38.'

With the complementary threads 328L and 31 engaged as shown on .thedrawings, the movable jawv'31 will be locked in a fixed positionrelative to the fixed jaw 34. However, if the movable handle portion 32is given a quarter turn, the threads 32sk and 31B Will be disengaged andthe movable jaw portion 31 will be free to be slid to any desiredposition relative to the fixed jaw member 34.

In the modification of the invention shown in I Figs. 9 to l2, thewrench comprises a handle 40 havingits end 40 knurled, to better adapt.it for gripping.l The opposite end 4IIb of the handle is reduced andpassed through an opening 4I formed1in a fixed jaw member 42. The end4I)b is milled over after being inserted into the opening' 4I to retainthe fixed jaw in position on the endfof; the handle, but it is pointedout that thehandle 40 is free to be rotated relative -to the fixed jawmember 42. Y

A movable jaw member 43 has ya portion 43" received within a socketopening'42a formed in the fixed jaw 42. The portion 43l continues intoan intermediate portion 43b extended through a passage 42b formedin theside of the fixed jaw member 42 opposite its jaw element 42. Thelntermediate portion 43b of the movable jaw member 43 in turn continuesinto a jaw element 43 which is adapted to cooperate with the jaw element:i2c of the xed: jaw; member 42 in. clamping. an object tobe tightenedor loosened.

The handle 4U passesA through. an opening formed in the portion 43e.of.V the movable jaw member 43 and that areaV of4 the handle III)v isformed with spaced threads 4|1fbetween flat sides 60d. The opening inthe portion Marot the movable jaw member 43. is :formed with spacedthreads i3d selectively engageable with and disengageable from thethreads 40c of the handle 56. When the threads are engaged the movablejaw member d3 is locked inA position, but when the threads are`disengaged, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the movablevjaw member-'4:3isfreeto be moved longitudinally,- relative to the.` fixed jaw member42.

In Figs. 13 to 16 of they drawings, another'modication of the inventionis` disclosed inv whichv a fixed jaw member 50 is formed integrally witha tubular shank 5|. A movable jaw'member 52` is formed on the end ofastem 53 which, extends through the iixed jaw 50 andthe tubular shank5|. A pin 54 is extended through. one side of the tubular shank 5| andextends into a longitudinal groove 55 milled in the side of the stem 53to limit the stem 53 to longitudinal sliding movement only relativetothe tubular shank 5|.

A rotative handle portion 56 forms an extenion of the tubular shank 5|and; engages over the end of the stem 53 which` projects from the end ofthe tubular shank 5|. A collar 51 is threadedly engaged upon the end ofthe tubular shank 5| and has an inwardly directed flange 51a whichengages an outwardly directed flange 56il for rotativelyv connecting thehandle portion 56 to the shank 5|.

Within the rotative handle portion 56, the stem 53 is formed withthreads 538L separated by diametrically opposite flat sidesV 53,b formedon the Ystem 53. The interiorof the rotative handle 56 is formed withdiametrically opposite threads 56b which are selectively engageable anddisengageable with the threads 5 3* formed on the stem 53. With thethreads 53e and 56b engaged as shown in Figs. 14 and 16, the stem 53 andin turn the movable jaw member 52V will bej lockedin position relativeto the fixed jaw member 50. In a ninety degree turnedposition of therotative handle portion 56, the threads. 53B and 56b will be disengagedfreeing thestem53 vto, be slid-longitudinally in the shank 5| to-adjust;the position of the movable jaw member 52 relativel to the fixed jawmember 50..-

In the modication of the invention disclosed in Figs. 17 and 18, theiixed jaw 60 is mounted on one end of a handle 6| formed at its otherend with an enlarged gripping portion 62. A movable jaw 63 is slidableonthe handle 6| between the fixed jaw 60 and the enlarged grippingportion 62. A bushing 6'4- lsrotatively disposed in an opening 66 formedin the movable jaw 63 and is rotatively retained in position by. apin 65extended in from one end of the movable jaw member 63.

The bushing 64 is located along. one sideof the handle 6| and is `formedwith threads 64EL and a flat side 64b. The threads 64%.of the bushing 64are selectively engageable with and disengageable from complementarythreads 6| a formed along the adjacent side of the handle 6|. t

When the threads 6|f-and64 are engagedas shown on the drawings,the-movable jaw-'member 63 will be locked against movement relative tothe xed jaw member 60. However, when the bushing 64 is rotated to alignits flat side lillb with the threads 6|* ori theA handle 6|, the movablejaw member 63 will be free to move on the handle 6| to desired adjustedposition relative to the fixed jawV 60.' y

If desired, the end` of the pin 651maly be provided with a suitablehandle or knob by= which the pin may be rotated for' turning the bushing54 for engaging and disenga'ging its threads 649' with the threads 6leon 'the side ot the handle 6|. If the pin` 65 is provided with such ahandle or knob, it is appreciated that the` bushin'gl will have to besecurely attached 'tonthe-lpin- 65a v'The modication of the'v inventionlshown in Figs. 19` to 21 is somewhat similarto-that shown'V in Figs. 17and 18. In thisforrn of the invne tion ank expansior'rr spring 1|!`mounted.v on 'the handle 6I' and: operates-*between thee'nd of themovable jaw member 63' and the gripping portion 62' oi" thehandle 6|lfornormally urgingthe movable jaw member 63l toward the fixed jaw member66, in the freed'po'sitionof the movable jaw member.

Also, in this form of the invention there is a riodied construction forlock-ing the movable jaw 63 in positiony relative to the iixed jaw 66.

In this form of the invention, the handle 6|r is formed with aprojecting ledge 1| formed with serrations lla, and the adjacent wall ofthe'movable jaw member 63 is formed with a cutout 12 which houses aslide13 for-movement toward and away from the serrations 1|a1offtheledge 1|.

Means is provided for moving the slide 1'3 to engage serrations 13e,formed thereon,`with and disengage them fromthe serrati'ons 1|a. Thismeans comprises astud shaft 14- extendedthrough the movable jaw member63 andy formed at its outer end witha small hand1e`15 by which the studshaft 'Mean-be rotated. A` disc 1 6 is eccentrically mountedonY theinnerend of the 'stud shaft M and is disposedA in a cam opening 11 formed inthe slide 13. In. one rotative position of the disc 16,*the slidewillbeinA theY position shown on the drawings, see Fig. 21, vin whichthe serrations 73a on thev slide 13 will be engaged with the serrations'He on the ledge TI, of the handle 6| for locking the movable jaw member63" in position relative tothe fixed jaw. member 60. In a 186 degreeturned position of the disc 16., the slide E3 will beA moved from thepositionshown in the drawings, to a position in which the serrations 13aand 1| a will be disengaged freeingthe movable jaw member 63' tobemovedrelative to the iixed jaw member 6|).

Vl'n the disengagedpositionof the serrationsHa and 13e, the spring1|1will act tourge the jaw members Stand-63 into facial contactgorto urgeAthe movable jaw member 63 into contact with anobject inserted betweenthe jaw members.

In Figs. 22 to 25, the modiedgwrench com-. prises a fixed handle 89havinga fixed jaw mem-y ber 8| attached to one end andprovided at theother end with a knurled grip-812. Amovable-jaw member 83 is slida'bleVon thehandle 8,0, and the portion of the handle 8U engaged by themovable jaw member 33 is ofA coniiguration;e.v g'.- square oi'Vhexagonal, to hold thegmovable,jawxmember 83" against rotation onthe-handle.

A rotative handle 84 is rotatively attachedto the rear end of themovablejaw member 83, and the rotative connection is accomplishedbyacollarY 35` which isy threadedlyiengaged intdtheend ofj the;movable;vjanv.,memberl 83; Th'ee-cellarvv 85 has an inwardly directed flange 85acooperating with the outwardly directed ange 81|EL on the rotativehandle 84 to rotatively retain the handle 84 inposition.

Internally, the rotative handle 84 is formed with spaced threads 84".The immediate area of the handle 80 is formed with diametricallyopposite fiat sides 80EL separating threads 80". The threads 80b of thehandle 80 when separated from the threads 84b'on the rotative handle 84,leave the handle 84 free to be moved longitudinally to similarly movethe movable jaw member 83 relative tothe fixed jaw member 8|. Engagementof the threads 80b and 84h, in their rotative positions of the rotativehandle 84, locks the movable jaw member 83 in a fixed position relativeto the fixed jaw member 8 l.

In Figs. 26 to 28 a still further modification of the invention isdisclosed comprising a fixed jaw member 90 in the form of a frameadapted to be engaged about a hexagonal bolt, nut or similar hexagonalmember. A handle 9| is integrally formed with the fixed jaw member andextends laterally from one side thereof.

A movable jaw member 92 is disposed Within the frame forming the fixedjaw member 90, and novel means is provided for slidably supporting themovable jaw member.

The xed jaw member 90 is formed with an opening 93 in which is disposeda ring 94 which has its outer periphery knurled. The movable jaw member92 is formed with a stem 96 which extends through the ring 94 and into arecess 91 formed in the handle 9|.

As shown in Fig. 28, the interior of the ring 94 is formed with spacedthreads 94 cooperative with spaced threads 96a formed on the stem 95 tohold the stem 96 and the movable jaw member 92 against movement relativeto the xed jaw member 90. .The threads 96a on the stem 96 are separatedby flat sides 96b formed on the stem, and when the ring 94 is rotatedthrough 90 degrees to disengage the threads 94 and 96n and to align thethreads 94a of the ring 94 with the flat sides 96b on .the stem 96, thestem will be free permitting lits longitudinal movement to similarlymove the movable jaw member 92.

In Fig. 29 a further modification of the invention is disclosed, whichis similar to that shown in Figs. 26 to 28, differing merely in theformation of the movable jaw member 92'.

In this form of the invention, the movable jaw member 92 is formed witha V-shaped recess |00 arranged to cooperate with the fixed jaw 90 ingripping a square bolt head, nut or similar square object indicated bythe dot and dash lines |I.

In other respects this form of the invention is similar to thatdisclosed in Figs. 26 to 28, and like reference numerals identify likeparts in the several views.

In all forms of the invention illustrated, the sliding parts are allformed with cooperating pairs of flat surfaces; however, if desired theymay be provided with single flat surfaces. Also, all cooperating threadsmay be single or plural threads, and preferably the ends of the threadsat the sides of the fiat surfaces should be beveled for guiding theengagement of the threads when the parts are moved from positions inwhich the threads are disengaged to positions in which the threads areengaged.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise constructions herein disclosed and the right 8 is reserved toall lchanges and modifications coming within the scope of the inventionas defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A wrench'comprising a fixed jaw having an extension projecting fromits side opposed to its gripping surface and a passage in one endthereof, said extension having a socket opening extended in from theside thereof adjacent the said one end of said fixed jaw andcommunicating with said passage, an elongated handle having one endportion extended through said socket opening and rotatively connectedwith said fixed jaw, a movable jaw having a jaw element facing thegripping surface of said fixed jaw and a tubular portion slidably fittedinto said socket opening and encircling the said one end portion of saidhandle, said tubular portion and the said one end portion of said handlehaving threads for moving said movable jaw relative to said fixed jaw,said movable jaw having an intermediate portion between its jaw element,said tubular portion extended slidably through said passage retainingsaid movable jaw to have sliding movements only relative to said fixedjaw in a plane parallel to the axis of said handle.

2. A wrench comprising a fixed jaw having an extension projecting fromits side opposed to its gripping surface and a passage in one endthereof, said extension having a socket opening extended in from theside thereof adjacent the said one end of said xed jaw and communicatingwith said passage, an elongated handle having one end portion extendedthrough said socket opening and rotatively connected with said fixedjaw, a movable jaw having a jaw element facing the gripping surface ofsaid xed jaw and a tubular portion slidably fitted into said socketopening and encircling the said one end portion of said handle, saidtubular portion and the said one end portion of said handle havingthreads for moving said movable jaw relative to said xed jaw, saidmovable jaw having an intermediate portion between its jaw element, saidtubular portion extended slidably through said passage retaining saidmovable jaw to have sliding movements only relative to said fixed jaw ina plane parallel to the axis of said handle, said threads beingcircumferentially interrupted to be engaged and disengaged by rotativemovement of said handle relative to said tubular portion.

JOHN T. TEDESCO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED vSTATES 'PATENTS Number Name Date 878,981 Mobley Feb. 11, 1908904,954 Harber Nov. 24, 1908 938,020 Sauer Oct. 26, 1909 970,762Stenerson Sept. 20, 1910 978,151 Guernsey Dec. 13, 1910 1,349,852 PauleyAug. 17, 1920 2,514,643 Y Huff July 11, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS NumberCountry Date 323,134 Germany July 16, 1920

